Code of Ethics - All Members
This Code of Ethics applies to all members of the PAA and informs application of the Scope of Practice. Members of the PAA must strictly adhere to both the Code of Ethics and the Scope of Practice.
As a PAA Member, I understand and commit to work within the PAA Scope of Practice in compliance with the following Code of Ethics.
- hold relevant qualifications and maintain the currency of these qualifications through current industry accepted practices and ongoing professional development as determined by the PAA.
- work within the scope of practice applicable to my qualifications.
- work with integrity, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism at all times.
- behave in a professional, courteous and appropriate manner at all times.
- know and abide by the relevant legislation, including but not limited to the regulation of:
- privacy;
- anti-discrimination;
- trade practices and fair trading;
- health professional practice;
- occupational health and safety;
- and child protection.
- comply with the National Employment Standards and any relevant awards, and the terms and conditions of work as recommended by the PAA.
- market my services and products ethically and in a clear and factual manner. I will not provide false or misleading information in any promotional and marketing materials or programs. I will not draw false or misleading comparisons with any other organisations and I will not engage or participate in anti-competitive behaviour.
- maintain high standards of financial record keeping and staff procedures, and policies for the correct handling of all financial transactions with clients and staff.
I understand and agree to apply these ethics to my work practice in accordance with the PAA Scope of Practice.
Note: In completing an online membership application or renewal you confirm that you have read and agree to abide by the PAA Code of Ethics.
Scope of Practice – Group Member (Mat/Reformer)
Group Instructor Members of the PAA, with EITHER appropriate Mat or Reformer groupwork qualifications, commit to work within the following scope:
- Work within the scope of your training with apparently healthy and low risk clients
- Conduct pre-exercise clearance of clients
- Educate clients on the benefits of Pilates mat work/Pilates reformer work and its suitability to the client
- Recognise conditions that may preclude a client from safely participating in a Pilates mat work/ group reformer class or conditions requiring referral. Refer to private Pilates instruction or to medical or allied health professionals as appropriate.
- Design Pilates mat work/group reformer classes according to group level, with consideration to modification or progressions for varying abilities.
- Provide ongoing class progression with attention to development of each individual client.
- Promote the Pilates Method and general exercise to improve overall health.
- Make appropriate and respectful use of tactile cueing to facilitate Pilates mat/reformer exercises, maintaining client comfort and dignity in a group setting.
- Use Pilates mat/reformer exercises with a range of small props (e.g. rollers, balls etc.)
- Maintain the highest levels of safety in practice and instruction of Pilates mat work/reformer group work observing the following student to instructor ratios:
- Matwork instructors: maximum 12:1
- Matwork instructors with over 3000hrs: maximum 20:1
- Reformer group instructors: maximum 12:1
The following is beyond the scope of practice of a Pilates Group Instructor:
- Teaching Pilates exercises on apparatus or mat without the approved qualification.
- ‘Prescribing’ exercises for pathologies and conditions outside the scope of a Pilates instructor without consultation with an appropriate medical or allied health professional.
- ‘Diagnosing’ a client with any medical, mental or physical condition.
- Training a client with a condition that is beyond your level of qualification, without appropriate medical clearance.
- Providing specific dietary advice or recommending supplements.
- Claiming to ‘treat’ injury, pathology or disease.
- Monitoring or measuring with instrumentation the progress of clients referred by therapists or medical practitioners.
- Offering counselling.
- Claiming to be competent to offer professional education beyond the limits of your credentials.
- Applying inappropriate touch.
- Continuing to train a client who exhibits any of the following symptoms: Chest pain, prolonged dizziness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, significant decrease in coordination, loss of consciousness, faintness, nausea, blurred vision, prolonged or increasing pain.
Please note that this beyond scope list is not exhaustive and you must at all times act within the boundaries of your qualifications.
Scope of Practice – Studio Instructor Member
Studio Instructor Members of the PAA commit to work within the following scope:
- To work within the scope of your training: apparently healthy and low risk clientele.
- Conduct pre-exercise clearance of clients.
- Recognise conditions that may preclude a client from safely participating in a Pilates exercise program, or conditions requiring referral, and provide information or referral to medical or allied health professionals as appropriate.
- Undertake initial consultation processes to educate clients on the benefits of the Pilates Method, its suitability to client’s needs and the nature of Pilates instruction, including the use of tactile cueing.
- Conduct movement analysis to identify common postural faults/corrections and establish exercise goals.
- Design Pilates exercise programs according to movement analysis, individual needs and medical or allied health professional recommendations.
- Provide ongoing assessment and progression, document client progress and collaborate with medical or allied health professionals to achieve the best interest of the client.
- Promote Pilates and general exercise to improve overall health.
- Use a range of Pilates apparatus including but not limited to Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Barrels plus small props (e.g. rollers, balls etc.).
- Maintain the highest levels of safety in practice and instruction of the Pilates Method observing the following student to instructor ratios:
-
- Studio instruction: maximum of 4:1 ratio
- Group class instruction: instructors with 3000hrs minimum can instruct maximum of 12:1 in a group class setting/20:1 in a matwork setting
The following is beyond the scope of practice of a Pilates Studio Instructor:
- ‘Prescribe’ exercises for pathologies and conditions outside the scope of a Pilates instructor without consultation with an appropriate medical or allied health professional.
- ‘Diagnosing’ a client with any medical, mental or physical condition.
- Training a client with a condition that is beyond your level of qualification without appropriate medical clearance.
- Providing specific dietary advice or recommending supplements.
- Claiming to ‘treat’ injury, pathology or disease.
- Monitoring or measuring with instrumentation the progress of clients referred by therapists or medical practitioners.
- Offering counselling.
- Claiming to be competent to offer professional education beyond the limits of your credentials.
- Applying inappropriate touch.
- Continuing to train a client who exhibits any of the following symptoms: Chest pain, prolonged dizziness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, significant decrease in coordination, loss of consciousness, faintness, nausea, blurred vision, prolonged or increasing pain.
Please note that this beyond scope list is not exhaustive and you must at all times act within the boundaries of your qualifications.
Scope of Practice – Professional Instructor Member
Professional Instructor members of the PAA commit to work within the following scope:
- To work within the scope of your training:
- Level 1: apparently healthy and low risk clientele under the guidance of a Professional Instructor member at Level 2 or above
- Level 2 and above: may include clients with moderate risk injuries or conditions relevant to the level and scope of your training.
- Conduct pre-exercise clearance of clients.
- Recognise conditions that may preclude a client from safely participating in a Pilates exercise program, or conditions requiring referral, and provide information or referral to medical or allied health professionals as appropriate.
- Undertake initial consultation processes to educate clients on the benefits of the Pilates Method, its suitability to client’s needs and the nature of Pilates instruction, including the use of tactile cueing.
- Conduct postural assessment and identify common postural conditions and postural corrections.
- Design Pilates exercise programs according to initial assessment, individual needs and medical or allied health professional recommendations.
- Provide ongoing assessment and progression, document client progress and collaborate with medical or allied health professionals to achieve the best interest of the client.
- Promote Pilates and general exercise to improve overall health.
- Make appropriate and respectful use of tactile cueing to facilitate Pilates exercises whilst maintaining client comfort and dignity.
- Use a range of Pilates apparatus including but not limited to Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Barrels plus small props (e.g. rollers, balls etc.).
- Maintain the highest levels of safety in practice and instruction of the Pilates Method observing the following student to instructor ratios:
- Studio setting: maximum of 4:1 ratio
- Level 1 Instructor: maximum of 12:1 in a matwork or group class setting
- Level 2 Instructor or above instructor: maximum of 20:1 in a matwork or group class setting
The following is beyond the scope of practice of a Pilates Professional Instructor:
- ‘Prescribe’ exercises for pathologies and conditions outside the scope of a Pilates instructor without consultation with an appropriate medical or allied health professional.
- ‘Diagnosing’ a client with any medical, mental or physical condition.
- Training a client with a condition that is beyond your level of qualification without appropriate medical clearance.
- Providing specific dietary advice or recommending supplements.
- Claiming to ‘treat’ injury, pathology or disease.
- Monitoring or measuring with instrumentation the progress of clients referred by therapists or medical practitioners.
- Offering counselling.
- Claiming to be competent to offer professional education beyond the limits of your credentials.
- Applying inappropriate touch.
- Continuing to train a client who exhibits any of the following symptoms: Chest pain, prolonged dizziness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, significant decrease in coordination, loss of consciousness, faintness, nausea, blurred vision, prolonged or increasing pain.
Please note that this beyond scope list is not exhaustive and you must at all times act within the boundaries of your qualifications.
